What is global warming? Global warming is the rise in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. In its natural state, the greenhouse effect creates a shield that allows the sun's radiant heat energy into our atmosphere and moves excess heat concentrations out of our atmosphere. When the gas concentrations in this shield are increased, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, fluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons accumulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space, causing increased global temperatures or rather – climate change. This increase in trapped heat changes the climate and alters weather patterns, which may hasten species extinction, influence the length of seasons, cause coastal flooding, and lead to more frequent and severe storms.
Causes The causes of global warming are
heavily disputed as heated discussion
continues over whether global warming
is a result of human activity or natural
causes.
While many greenhouse gases occur
naturally and are needed to create the
greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth
warm enough to support life, human use
of biomass combustion, such as burning wood or fossil fuels, is considered by many to be the main source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. (See "Materials Economy" for more information on why the Earth's natural resources, such as these trees, are being exploited.) While the majority of mainstream scientists agree that global warming is a serious problem that is growing steadily worse, there are some who disagree. Skeptics maintain that the climate change is a natural and cyclic phenomenon, that man's effect on nature is largely overrated. Arguments For Global Warming and Climate Change:
The world’s average surface temperature has increased by around 0.74°C over the past 100 years (1906 - 2005). This figure is higher than the 2001 report’s 100-year estimate of 0.6°C due to the recent series of extremely warm years, with 11 of the last 12 years ranking among the 12 warmest years since modern records began around 1850. A warming of about 0.2°C is projected for each of the next two decades.
Global warming may extend the favorable zones for vectors conveying infectious disease such as dengue fever, West Nile Virus, and malaria. In poorer countries, this may simply lead to higher incidence of such diseases. In richer countries, where such diseases have been eliminated or kept in check by vaccination, draining swamps and using pesticides, the consequences may be felt more in economic than health terms.
The societal impacts of climate change will become manifest through changes in the nature and frequency of extreme weather events such as flooding, storms, heat waves and dry spells.
Against Global Warming and Climate Change:
The ice core record clearly demonstrates that increases in global temperatures precede increases in atmospheric CO2 by periods of several hundred years.
Palaeoclimatological evidence, which is grounded in the geological study of very long periods of time, shows that over multi-hundred-million year periods there has been no connection between temperatures on Earth and atmospheric CO2 levels.
Climate models based on anthropogenic warming have been proved wrong. Data from major scientific institutions for the 21st century show quite clearly that the Earth's temperature has in fact remained constant.
Over the past few hundred years, there has been a steady increase in the numbers of sunspots, just at the time when the Earth has been getting warmer. The data suggests changing solar activity is influencing in some way the global climate causing the world to get warmer.
Key Figures in the Media The different sides of the global warming debate can be seen throughout the media, constantly. Here are two key figures representing each perspective:
Al Gore Beginning with the creation of his hit documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore has become a key figure in the pro global warming corner. An Inconvenient Truth was the first pro global warming documentary to truly reach a large population. The strong message this presidential candidate presented showed billions of people all over the world that global warming even existed. More than this he created many followers, dedicated to preventing global warming. Gore’s movie kick started the “green”, environmentally friendly theme across the media and society. As well, he leads the Climate Project. The Climate Project is a group of 2,600 dedicated people who go around educating the public about climate change. These volunteers have reached four million people worldwide together. As each volunteer is personally trained by Al Gore himself, the Climate Project is a serious and strong plan for change, not just a basic attempt. The project’s hope is that by raising the awareness of the population about the crisis and letting them know how they can help, what the potential solutions are, everyone together can (as Al Gore says) “preserve the climate balance on which humanity and our planet depend.” Al Gore has become the face of the pro global warming perspective.
Bjorn Lomborg As the author of both Cool It, and The Skeptical Environmentalist , Bjorn Lomborg is an advocate against global warming. More than this, Lomborg challenges the way in which the idea of global warming is addressed in society. He battles against the grain, believing that global warming is not a big issue of our time and that our money and efforts are being wasted on something far less important than say, malnourishment and disease in the world. Lomborg is well known for this point of view and strong arguments supporting it, and has even been recognized by several awards and scholarly magazines for his efforts. As the man with the strongest influence and voice against global warming, Bjorn Lomborg represents this perspective in society today.(See Bjorn Lomborg for further information.)
Global Warming: Fact or Fiction
By Daniel French
What is global warming?
The causes of global warming are
heavily disputed as heated discussion
continues over whether global warming
is a result of human activity or natural
causes.
While many greenhouse gases occur
naturally and are needed to create the
greenhouse effect that keeps the Earth
warm enough to support life, human use
of biomass combustion, such as burning wood or fossil fuels, is considered by many to be the main source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen. (See "Materials Economy" for more information on why the Earth's natural resources, such as these trees, are being exploited.)
While the majority of mainstream scientists agree that global warming is a serious problem that is growing steadily worse, there are some who disagree. Skeptics maintain that the climate change is a natural and cyclic phenomenon, that man's effect on nature is largely overrated.
Arguments
For Global Warming and Climate Change:
Against Global Warming and Climate Change:
Key Figures in the Media
The different sides of the global warming debate can be seen throughout the media, constantly. Here are two key figures representing each perspective:
Al Gore
Beginning with the creation of his hit documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore has become a key figure in the pro global warming corner. An Inconvenient Truth was the first pro global warming documentary to truly reach a large population. The strong message this presidential candidate presented showed billions of people all over the world that global warming even existed. More than this he created many followers, dedicated to preventing global warming. Gore’s movie kick started the “green”, environmentally friendly theme across the media and society. As well, he leads the Climate Project. The Climate Project is a group of 2,600 dedicated people who go around educating the public about climate change. These volunteers have reached four million people worldwide together. As each volunteer is personally trained by Al Gore himself, the Climate Project is a serious and strong plan for change, not just a basic attempt. The project’s hope is that by raising the awareness of the population about the crisis and letting them know how they can help, what the potential solutions are, everyone together can (as Al Gore says) “preserve the climate balance on which humanity and our planet depend.” Al Gore has become the face of the pro global warming perspective.
Bjorn Lomborg
As the author of both Cool It, and The Skeptical Environmentalist , Bjorn Lomborg is an advocate against global warming. More than this, Lomborg challenges the way in which the idea of global warming is addressed in society. He battles against the grain, believing that global warming is not a big issue of our time and that our money and efforts are being wasted on something far less important than say, malnourishment and disease in the world. Lomborg is well known for this point of view and strong arguments supporting it, and has even been recognized by several awards and scholarly magazines for his efforts. As the man with the strongest influence and voice against global warming, Bjorn Lomborg represents this perspective in society today.(See Bjorn Lomborg for further information.)